Other conditions decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acupuncture services were authorized in advance and the claim for payment is granted.

The appellant is the adult son of the Veteran and his surviving spouse. He does not qualify as a child for accrued benefits purposes, but may recover expenses related to the last sickness and burial of the Veteran's surviving spouse. The claim for accrued benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of ambulance services provided on September 15, 2019 was dismissed as the issue is moot since he is already in receipt of the benefit sought.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to respiratory failure, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's colorectal cancer as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis, is causally related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of ambulance fees incurred on July 26, 2021 is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a review under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the case.

The Veteran's pension award is already at the maximum allowable benefit due to his zero income, and he cannot receive additional benefits for unreimbursed medical expenses. The Board dismissed the claim as moot.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied. The Board found that while the Veteran requires assistance in meal preparation, bathing, hygiene needs, and medication management due to his service-connected disability, he does not meet the criteria for SMC as he is not permanently bedridden or substantially confined to his home.

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted effective March 8, 2017. The Board found that an earlier effective date prior to this date is not warranted as the criteria for DEA were not met at any time before March 8, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, finding that his current conditions are related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The evidence supports this decision with a private medical opinion linking the condition to his service.

The Board has determined that the decision denying PCAFC eligibility is based on a pre-decisional error and requires remand to reevaluate the Veteran's eligibility under the correct statutory criteria for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction'.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied based on his income. The Board is unable to properly evaluate his 2019 income due to missing documents, and these must be associated with the claims file before the claim can be decided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatic insufficiency, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his condition and service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the lack of adequate VA examination and medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's throat cancer. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not timely file a VA Form 10182 regarding the denial of service connection for cause of death, and there was no evidence showing good cause to extend the filing deadline.

The Board denied service connection for ascending aortic aneurysm and regurgitation, finding no evidence of its onset during service or association with herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim was based on presumed service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, but the condition was not listed as one eligible under current regulations.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was based on an incorrect legal standard and insufficient rationale. The case is being remanded to correct these errors and obtain a proper medical opinion.